Despite Ashwin's absence on the third day in Rajkot, India went on to secure their largest Test victory.
The message from Rohit Sharma and the Indian team management to the bowling attack was to remain calm, despite Ben Duckett's blistering century on the second day in Rajkot. Duckett's wicket then hastened England's collapse. They went from 260 for 4 to 319 all out in reply to India's first-innings 445. In their second innings, India's bowlers caused a further collapse for England to secure a massive 434-run victory and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
India's most experienced bowler, R Ashwin, left Rajkot after day two due to a family emergency. Despite his absence on day three, he rejoined the side on day four and India went on to record their biggest Test win in terms of runs.
Rohit explained that the promotion of Ravindra Jadeja to No. 5 ahead of debutant Sarfaraz Khan was due to the left-right combination in the middle. Rohit and Jadeja shared a 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the highest in the match. The partnership lifted India from 33 for 3. Sarfaraz scored a brilliant 62 off 66 balls, while Rohit and Jadeja both scored centuries.
Rohit states that it is important to note that India’s batting order is not a long-term planand. The team makes decisions based on the situation and opposition in each Test match. They aim to calculate everything and then adapt accordingly.
Jadeja followed up his century with a seven-wicket haul, including a five-for in the final innings, on his home soil.